Apparatus for dispensing straws and the like



y 969 J. c. STURROCK 3,445,036

APPARATUS FOR DISPENSING STRAWS AND THE LIKE Filed Aug. 24, 1967 Sheet of 4 SELECT/V5 DEPENSMIG MiG/4M5 F I [5- 1 INVENTOR. 22 JOHN c. STURROCK BY M wM V Arm/we vs APPARATUS FOR DISPENSING STRAWS AND THE LIKE Filed Aug. 24, 1967 May 20, 1969 J. c. STU RROCK Z of 4 Sheet INVENTOR. JOHN C. STUKROCK 5--5- B a 5 J. c. STURROCK 3,445,036

APPARATUS FOR DISEENSlNG STRAWS AND THE LIKE;

May 20, 1969 Sheet 3 of4 .ilegi Aug. 24, 1967.

INVENTOR. JOHN C. fill/ 06K BY flu 1ml ATTORNEVS y 1969 J. c. STURROCK 3,445,036

APPARATUS FOR DISPENSING STRAWS AND THE LIKE Filed Aug. 24, 1967 Sheet 4 of 4 INVENTOR.

JOHN c. sru/e/eom .FIE|-11- BY .4

147 TOXWfYS United States Patent 3,445,036 APPARATUS FOR DISPENSING STRAWS AND THE LIKE John C. Sturrock, Lomira, Wis., assignor to Steelmade Inc., Lomira, Wis., a corporation of Delaware Filed Aug. 24, 1967, Ser. No. 662,948 Int. Cl. B65h 3/34, 3/68 US. Cl. 221-491 5 Claims ABSTRACT OF THE DISCLOSURE A device for dispensing straws in one-at-a-time fashion designed for incorporation into a coin operated vending machine for beverages so that no more than one straw may be dispensed with each order of beverage supplied by the machine. The apparatus comprises a gate structure adapted to support straws thereabove in stacked parallel relationship with respect to each other and interrelated opening and stop elements operatively associated with the gate structure to permit its selective opening to a degree sufiicient to permit but one straw to be dispensed therethrough upon each opening. A lock is also associated with the gate structure so that, when the apparatus is incorporated into a vending machine, the structure can only be opened once for each order supplied by the machine.

The present invention relates to an automatically controlled article dispensing device having means for locking its triggering mechanism so that only one article may be dispensed for each dispensing signal received thereby. In its more specific aspects, the invention is concerned with such a device wherein the dispensing signal automatically deactivates the locking means to release the triggering mechanism for selective activation to effect the dispensing of a single article and, upon triggering, the locking means is automatically reengaged.

In the prior art, various types of dispensing apparatuses have been provided to effect the dispensing of articles in one-at-a-time fashion. The most rudimentary forms of these apparatuses simply provide manually operated gates adapted to receive and move a single article from a stored condition to a dispensed condition. This arrangement is typical of that found in the pill dispensing art. The more sophisticated apparatuses of the prior art typically provide for automatic vending of a single article responsive to a triggering signal. This arrangement is most commonly found in the coin operated vending machine art. Certain prior art even provides a combination wherein a vending signal must first be received and then followed by a mechanical operation to efliect actual dispensing. This arrangement is also commonly found in the vending machine art. It, however, rejects all subsequent vending signals until the mechanical operation to follow the first signal is completed.

In summary, the present invention may be defined as an apparatus for selectively dispensing elongate rod-like elements, such as straws, in one-at-a-time fashion. The basic apparatus comprises a trough defined by an upright wall and a gate disposed beneath the wall in acutely inclined relationship. The trough thus provided is adapted to receive and support a plurality of straw-like elements on the upper surface of the gate in loosely stacked substantially parallel relationship with respect to one another. The gate is supported for limited movement toward and away from the wall to permit articles received in the trough to pass over the upper surface of the gate and beneath the wall in single file relationship. A barrier is provided to permit but one element to pass beneath the wall each time the gate is depressed relative to the Wall and means are provided to selectively impart movement 3 ,445,036 Patented May 20, 1969 "Ice to the gate relative to the wall and lock the gate against such movement.

It is, accordingly, a principal object of the present invention to provide a dispenser for elongate rod-like elements suitable for incorporation into a vending machme for a primary commodity, such as a beverage, to facilitate the selective dispensing of but one article for each order of the primary commodity dispensed from the machine.

Another object of the invention is to provide such a dispenser adapted for the handling of unwrapped drinking straws which is facilitated to dispense the straws 1n 3 condition satisfying governmental sanitation requlrements.

The detailed structure and operation of the invention and the foregoing and other objects will become more apparent when viewed in light of the accompanying drawings wherein:

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a beverage vending machine having a first embodiment of the dispenser of the present invention incorporated thereinto;

FIG. 2 is an elevational view of the first embodiment of the dispenser, partially in section, schematically illustrating the wiring for control of the locking device incorporated thereinto;

FIG. 3 is a sectional view taken on the plane designated by line 33 in FIG. 2 illustrating the locking device in locked condition and showing, in phantom line representation, the faceplate which would be employed with the first embodiment of the dispenser when it is incorporated into a vending machine;

FIG. 4 is a sectional view similar to FIG. 3 showlng the first embodiment of the dispenser mounted behind the face plate of a vending machine, but illustrated the locking device in the unlocked condition;

FIG. 5 is a sectional view similar to FIG. 4 illustrating the manual operation of the first embodiment of the dispenser to eifect the discharge of a straw therefrom, with the finger of a user shown in phantom line representation;

FIG. 6 is a perspective view of the first embodiment of the dispenser, partially in section, illustrating the locking device in the process of returning to the locking condition after the discharge of a straw from the dispenser;

FIG. 7 is an elevational view of a second embodiment of the dispenser of the present invention, partially in section;

FIG. 8 is a sectional view taken on the plane designated by line 8-8 in FIG. 7, illustrating the locking device in locked condition, and showing the faceplate which would be employed with the second embodiment of the dispenser when it is incorporated into a vending machine;

FIG. 9 is a partial sectional view similar to FIG. 8 showing the second embodiment of the dispenser mounted behind the faceplate of a vending machine, but illustrating the locking device in the unlocked condition;

FIG. 10 is a partial sectional view similar to FIG. 9 ilustrating the manual operation of the second embodiment of the dispenser to effect the discharge of a straw therefrom, with the finger of a user shown effecting the operation; and,

FIG. 11 is a perspective view of the second embodiment of the dispenser, partially in section, illustrating the locking device in the process of returning to the locked condition after the discharge of a straw from the dispenser.

Referring now specifically to FIG. 1, therein is illustrated a vending machine designated in its entirety by the numeral 10. The machine 10 is of the relatively conventional refrigerated type employed for vending canned beverages. It is of parallelepiped configuration and includes a hinged front door having a faceplate 12. The

faceplate includes: four beverage display windows 14; selector buttons 16, each of which cooperate with one of the windows 14 to effect the selective dispensing to the type of beverage displayed therein; a coin insert slot 18; a coin rejector opening 20; a beverage dispensing opening 22; a lock 24; and, a straw dispensing slot 26. It is behind the latter slot that the dispenser of the present invention is adapted to be installed. Although the machine is of the type employed for vending cans of beverages, it is to be understood that dispensers constructed according to the present invention are not limited to use in combination with such a machine.

The first embodiment of the dispenser of the present invention is designated in its entirety by the numeral 28. Its basic element is a housing comprising forward and rearward walls 30 and 32, respectively, fixedly interconnected by side walls 34 and 36 extending therebetween. The housing also includes, as a fixed component thereof, a barrier wall 38 fixed to and extending between the side walls 34 and 36 beneath the forward wall 30. The barrier wall 38 has a stepped portion 40 formed intermediate its upper and lower edges and openings 42 and 44 extending therethrough above and below, respectively, the stepped portion. The opening 44 is termed a lock opening for reasons which will become more apparent subsequently. The upper end of the housing is provided with a door 46 hingedly secured to the wall 30 for pivotal movement between a closed position engaging the walls 32, 34 and 36 and an open position elevated relative to these walls. The door is elevated to the latter position for loading of the housing with straws. Straws are designated by the numeral 48 in FIG. 3.

The lower portion of the forward wall 30, designated at 50, is inclined inwardly and terminates in an upright section bounded by a lower edge 52. The barrier wall 38 terminates in an upwardly disposed barrier edge 54 of rolled over configuration spaced slightly beneath and forward of the edge 52 to define therewith a slot 56 extending transversely of the housing over the full length between the side walls 34 and 36. The slot 56, as will become more apparent from the subsequent discussion, is of a width sufiicient to only permit the single file passage of straws therethrough.

A gate 58 is hingedly secured to the rearward wall 32 and extends forwardly therefrom beneath the edge 52 in acute relationship with respect to the forward wall 30. The upper surface of this gate, together with the inner surface of the Wall 30, defines a floor for the housing of the dispenser of generally trough-spaced configuration. The portion of this floor defined by the upper surface of the gate 58 directly supports the lowermost straws received in the housing and functions to direct these straws towards the edge 52 under the influence of gravity. The gate 58 has a width slightly less than the distance between the interior surfaces of the side walls 34 and 36 and is hingedly secured to the rearward wall 32 about an axis extending normal to these walls by a hinge 60. Thus, the gate is free to swing between the side walls 34 and 36 and, upon upward swinging, the upper surface thereof abuts against the edge 52 in substantially parallel juxtaposed relationship.

The forward end of the gate 58 terminates in a downwardly depending portion 62 extending rearwardly of the barrier wall 38. The portion 62 has fixed thereto and extending forwardly therefrom loosely through the opening 42 a touch-bar 64. The bar 64, as can be seen from FIGS. 2 and 6, extends over a limited central length of the portion 62 and includes a pair of spaced upwardly extending distal fingers 66. Beneath the touchbar 64, the portion 62 is provided with an opening 68 positioned to assume aligned relationship with the locking opening 44 when the gate is elevated to abutting engagement with the edge 52. It is noted that in the latter position, hereinafter referred to as the first position, the ortion 62 extends parallel and immediately adjacent to the rearward surface of the barrier wall 38 and the touch-bar 64 is disposed at the upper extremity of the opening 42. The gate is normally urged to this first position by a pair of tension coil springs 70 secured between tabs 72 fixed to and extending rearwardly of the portion 62 and openings 74 (only one of which is illustrated) in the side walls 34 and 36.

From the structure thus far described, it can be seen that the gate 58 is hingedly supported on the wall 32 for swinging movement towards and away from the lower edge 52 of the wall 30. Movement of the gate 58 away from abutting engagement with the edge 52 may be effected simply by manually depressing the touch-bar 64 to move it downwardly within the opening 42. The user of the dispenser may effect manual depressing of the touch-bar 64 with his finger, as shown by the phantom line representation designated by the numeral 76 in FIG. 5. Return movement of the gate 58 to abutting engagement with the edge 52 is automatically effected upon release of the touch-bar 64. This results because of the resilient lifting influence of the springs 70. The springs 70 are extended upon manual depressing of the touch bar 64.

It is here noted that the slot 26 of a vending machine with which the dispenser 28 is employed extends over the full width between the side walls 34 and 36 and sufliciently above and below the touch-bar 64 to permit its unrestricted movement while, at the same time, shielding the opening 44. Preferably, the slot 26 is also provided with an enlarged concave central portion, as designated at 78, to facilitate the pickup of straws discharged from the dispenser. Discharged straws, as can be seen from FIG. 6 and will become more apparent from the subsequent discussion, are received on the fingers 66.

To prevent the gate 58 from being depressed more than once for each order dispensed from a vending machine with which it is employed, and limit downward movement of the gate, a locking device 80 is provided. This device comprises: a solenoid coil 82 fixedly secured in normal relationship to the wall 32 beneath the gate 58; a ferromagnetic actuator rod 84 slidably received within the coil 82; a detent 86 pivotally secured to the distal end of the rod 84; and, a tension coil spring 88 secured between an ear 90 fixed to and extending upwardly from the detent 86 and an ear 92 fixed to and extending rearwardly from the downwardly depending portion 62 of the gate 58. The spring 88 functions to normally bias the detent 86 counterclockwise around its pivotal connection to the rod 84 and forwardly relative to the portion 62.

The detent 86 is of rigid integral construction and disposed to have portions thereof extending through both the opening 44 and the opening 68 at all times. It comprises, in addition to the ear 90: a forwardly extending tab portion 94; and a dog comprising a primary portion 96, a forward secondary portion 98 and a rearward secondary portion '100.

Normally, the detent 86 is disposed as illustrated in FIG. 3 with the portion 96 in the opening 44, the portion 98 in the opening 68, and the portion 100 abutting against the surface of the downwardly depending portion 62 immediately beneath the opening 68. As thus disposed, the detent is held between the opening 44 and its connection to the rod 84 and locked against vertical translation. In this condition, the upper edge of the opening 68 abuts against the upper surface of the detent 86 and, thus, the gate 58 is locked against downward swinging movement relative to the edge 52.

To release the dispenser from the locked condition illustrated in FIG. 3, the solenoid 82 is momentarily triggered to retract the rod 84 as shown in FIG. 4. Upon so retracting the rod 84, the detent 86 is moved to a position wherein the portion 96 is removed from the opening 44. This, in turn, automatically permits the spring 88 to move the detent counterclockwise about its connection to the rod 84 to a position wherein the portion 98 abuts against the section of the portion 62 disposed immediately beneath the opening 68. Thus, the portion 96 is maintained in a position removed from the opening 44 and, as a result, the gate 58 is free to be depressed as illustrated in FIG. 5.

The position to which the gate 58 may be depressed as illustrated in FIG. 5, hereinafter referred to as the secend position is also limited by the detent 86. This results because depressing the gate functions first to force the tab 94 into engagement with the lower edge of the opening 44 and then to force the upper edge of the opening 68 into engagement with the upper surface of the detent. Upon the latter occurrence, further downward translation of the gate is prevented because of the bridged condition of the detent between its connection to the rod 84 and the point at which the tab 94 contacts the lower edge of the opening 44.

FIG. 5 also illustrates that movement of the gate to the second fully lowered position also functions to re lease the portion 98 from engagement with the lower edge of the opening 68 as illustrated in FIG. 4. This, in turn, permits the spring 88 to extend the portion 98 through the opening 68 to the condition illustrated in FIG. 5. Once in this condition, raising of the gate responsive to the action of the springs 70 permits the portion 96 to ride upwardly and into alignment with the opening 44. Upon assumption of the latter condition, the spring 88 automatically functions to extend the portion 96 through the opening 44 and the dispenser is returned to the locked condition illustrated in FIG. 3.

When incorporated into a vending machine as illustrated in FIG. 1, the solenoid coil 82 is preferably wired to the selective dispensing mechanism cooperating with the buttons 16 for triggering thereby whenever the dispensing mechanism is activated by depressing of one of the buttons. This arrangement is schematically illustrated in FIG. 2 wherein the selective dispensing mechanism is designated by the numeral 102. It, in effect, provides for automatic assumption of the unlocked condition illustrated in FIG. 4 whenever a beverage is dispensed from the vending machine.

In actual use, as long as the dispenser 28 is in the locked condition illustrated in FIG. 3, no straws can "be removed therefrom. This results because the gate 58 is locked against movement away from the lower edge 52 of the Wall 30. Upon assumption of the unlocked condition illustrated in FIG. 4, selective removal of a straw from the dispenser may be effected by depressing the touch-bar 64 to the second position illustrated in FIG. 5. This permits the lowermost straw supported on the upper surface of the gate 58 to move beneath the edge 52 and into engagement with the barrier edge 54. The spacing of the barrier edge 54 from the edge 52 permits the thickness of but one straw to move laterally of the edge 52, on each depression of the gate 58. At the same time, the limited movement of the gate to the second position provided by the detent 86, when in the condition illustrated in FIG. 5, permits only a single file or layer of straws to move beneath the edge 52. Thus, each depression of the gate 58 to the second position, as illustrated in FIG. 5, permits but one straw to move laterally of the edge 52. This straw, upon release of the gate 58 for movement to the first position, as illustrated in FIG. 6, is ejected over the barrier edge 54 and falls onto the fingers 66. The fingers 66 only contact the straw centrally and, as a result, the ends of the straw are maintained in a sanitary condition. Ejection of the straw over the barrier edge 54 upon return of the gate 58 to the first position is assured because, when in this position, the upper surface of the gate assumes a level of that above the edge.

Attention is now invited to the second embodiment, illustrated in FIGS. 7 to 11, inclusive. At the outset, it is noted that this embodiment, similarly to the first embodiment, is designed for use in a vending machine,

such as that illustrated in FIG. 1. Accordingly, it is to be understood that the vending machine 10 shown in FIG. 1 and elements 12 to 26 thereof, inclusive, are adaptable for use with the dispenser of the second embodiment, as well as that of the first embodiment.

The second embodiment of the dispenser, designated by the numeral 28b, differs from that of the first embodiment primarily in the details of the locking device. Accordingly, with the exception of the locking device, the elements of the first and second embodiments of the dispenser correspond very closely. For this reason, identical elements in the two embodiments are designated by corresponding numerals and elements of the second embodiment which are identical in mode of operation to those of the first embodiment, but differ slightly in structure, are designated by numbers corresponding to those of the first embodiment, followed by the letter a.

The elements of the second embodiment identical to those of the first embodiment are as follows:

Forward wall 30 Rearward wall 32 Side wall 34 Side wall 36 Door 46 Lower portion 50 Edge 52 Hinge 60 Springs 70 Openings 74 In addition to the use of the foregoing numerals to designate elements of the second embodiment corresponding to those of the first embodiment, the numerals 48 and 76 are also common to the illustrations of the first and second embodiments. Specifically, in the illustrations of the second embodiment, the numeral 48 is used to designate straws contained in and being dispensed by the dispenser and the numeral 76 is used to designate the finger of an operator.

The elements of the second embodiment identical in mode of operation to those of the first embodiment, but iliifering slightly in construction, are designated as folows:

These elements are identical in mode of operation to the corresponding elements of the first embodiment in that they provide for support of straws, designated by the numeral 48 in the dispenser and parallel stacked relationship and for the dispensing of the straws in one-at-a-time fashion responsive to each combined depression and raising movement of the gate 58a. This results because the gate 58a, edge 52 and barrier edge 54a cooperate with each other identically to the corresponding elements 58, 52 and 54 of the first embodiment to permit but one stray to pass beneath and laterally of the edge 52 responsive to each depression of the gate 58a The locking device of the second embodiment is designated in its entirety by the numeral 80b. This device differs from that of the first embodiment primarily in that the solenoid therein, designated by the numeral 104, is disposed to effect the power depression of the gate 58a. As a result, no manually depressible touch bar, such as the bar 64 of the first embodiment, is provided in the second embodiment. Because of the absence of such a bar from the second embodiment, fixed fingers 106 are provided therein to catch dispensed straws. These fingers are fixed to the barrier wall 38a in spaced parallel relationship relative to each other and include upwardly bent distal end portions 108. The fingers 106 are similar to the fingers 66 of the first embodiment in that they are disposed to contact a straw received thereon centrally without end contact. The portions 108 retain straws received on the fingers for manual removal by a user of the dispenser.

The embodiment 28b is provided with a separate faceplate 110 disposed around the fingers 106 so as to define a slot similar to the slot 26. The plate 110 is fixed relative to the forward wall 30 of the dispenser and, typically, is secured over the faceplate of a vending machine with which the dispenser is used. The latter type of faceplate is illustrated partially in FIGS. 8, 9 and and designated by the numeral 12b. As illustrated, the faceplate 12b comprises part of a composite door having a rear wall 112. Both the plate 12b and wall 112 have openings formed therein through which the slot defined by the plate 110 opens. Inwardly inclined sections 114 and 116 on the plate 110 define smooth upper and lower boundaries, respectively, for the slot defined by the plate. A circular aperture 118 is formed in the plate 110 immediately below the section 116.

The aperture 118 slidably receives a triggering button 120 for the locking device 80b. The button 120 has a collar 122 formed thereon intermediate its ends. When the dispenser is mounted as shown in FIGS. 8 to 11, this collar is disposed between the interior surface of the faceplate 110 and the wall 112. In this condition, a spring 124 is also interposed between the collar 122 and the wall 112. The spring normally urges the collar into abutting engagement with the interior surface of the plate 110. Apertures 126 and 128 in the barrier wall 38a and wall 112, respectively, permit the button to pass slidably through these walls. The spring 124 abuts with the wall 112 around the periphery of the aperture 128.

The locking device 80b of the second embodiment comprises, as its activating element, the aforedescribed soIenoid 104. The solenoid i fixedly mounted relative to the casing of the dispenser 28b, and particularly the rearward wall 32 thereof, on a plate 130. As so mounted, the solenoid is disposed in a relatively upright condition substantially normal to the undersurface of the gate 58a disposed thereabove when the gate is in the closed condition in abutting engagement with the edge 52'. A ferromagnetic actuator rod 132 is slidably received in the coil of the solenoid for retraction responsive to electrical energizing of the coil. The rod 132 has a pin 134 extending laterally therefrom in substantially parallel relationship to the undersurface of the gate 58a. An angle bracket 136 is fixedly mounted beneath the surface of the gate 58a and extends therefrom into engagement with the pin 134 to transmit movement into engagement to the gate, and vice versa. Engagement between the bracket 136 and pin 134 is provided by 'a flange 138 formed on the bracket and extending slidably beneath the pin in parallel relationship to the undersurface of the gate 58a.

The locking device 80b further comprises a crank 140 of generally L-shaped configuration, rockably mounted on the gate 58a. The crank is formed with a first arm 142 extending beneath the upper portion of the gate 58a and a second arm 144 extending behind the barrier Wall 3811. An opening 146 in the gate 58a loosely receives the arm 142 to provide for rockable mounting of the crank. The arm 144 is provided with a stepped section 148 disposed, as will become more apparent subsequently for operative engagement with the barrier wall 38a. A tension coil spring 150 is secured between the distal end of the arm 142 and the flange 72a to resiliently urge the crank in a clockwise direction about its rotatable mounting on the gate 58a. This spring maintains the stepped section 148a in engagement With the wall 38a at all times, regardless of the disposition of the gate 58a.

An aperture 152 is formed in the stepped section 40a of the wall 38a in alignment with the crank 140. This aperture has a width slightly greater than that of the crank and defines an edge 154 disposed to be engaged above the stepped section 148 when the gate 58a is depressed and the crank swings in a clockwise direction responsive to the action of the spring 150. As will become more apparent from the subsequent discussion, engagement of the section 148a beneath the edge 154 functions to retain the gate 58a in a depressed condition. Release of the section 148 from engagement beneath the edge 154 may be effected by manually depressing the button 120, as illustrated in FIG. 10. Upon depression of the button 120, its interior end abuts against the arm 144 to displace the section 148 from beneath the edge 154.

When installed in a vending machine, such as the machine 10, the winding of the solenoid 104 is wired to the dispensing mechanism of the machine in a manner identical to the wiring of the solenoid winding 82 schematically illustrated in FIG. 2. As a result, each time the dispensing mechanism of the machine is activated, the solenoid 104 is energized to retract the actuator rod 132. This, in turn, lowers the gate 58a and permits the crank 140 to swing to a position wherein the section 148 is engaged beneath the edge 154, as illustrated in FIG. 9.

Once the dispenser has assumed the position illustrated in FIG. 9, the lowermost straw supported on the gate 58a passes beneath the edge 52 and against the edge 54a, under the influence of gravity. To dispense the straw from the latter position, the button 120 is depressed so as to disengage the stepped section 148 from beneath the edge 154. Upon thus releasing the section 148, the gate 58a moves upwardly into engagement with the edge 52 responsive to the resilient force imparted by the spring 70. The latter movement effects dispensing of the straw, as schematically illustrated by the dashed arrow lines in FIG. 10. Upon being thus dispensed, the straw is received on the fingers 106 for manual removal therefrom.

It can thus be seen that the dispenser 28b normally assumes the locked or closed condition illustrated in FIG. 8. In this condition, straws contained in the dispenser are locked against removal. Upon energizing of the solenoid 104, the gate 58a is lowered to the position illustrated in FIG. 9. In this position, a straw may be selectively dispensed by depressing the button 120, as illustrated in FIG. 10. Once the button 120 is depressed, the dispenser again returns to the condition illustrated in FIG. 8. As a result of this overall operation, only one straw may be dispensed from the dispenser 28b responsive to each energizing signal received by the solenoid 104. If the button 120 is not depressed after a patricular energizing signal, the dispenser will simply remain in the unlocked condition illustrated in FIG. 9. Thus, subsequent energizing signals to the solenoid 104 will not change the condition of the dispenser.

When in the locked condition, the second embodiment 28b is less susceptible to damage and jamming than the first embodiment 28. This results because depression of the button 120, when the dispenser 28b is in the locked condition, imparts no force to the interior components of the locking device b. Attempted depression of the touch bar 64 in the first embodiment 28, on the Other hand, always imparts some force to the interior components of the locking device 80.

From the foregoing description, it is believed clear that the present invention distinguishes from the prior art and enables the attainment of the objects initially set forth herein. It is to be understood, however, that the invention is not intended to be limited by this description but rather is defined by the accompanying claims.

What is claimed is:

1. An apparatus for dispensing elongate rod-like elements in one-at-a-time fashion, said apparatus comprismg:

(a) an upright wall having a lower boundary defining edge;

(b) a gate disposed beneath said wall in acutely inclined relationship to define therewith a trough, the lower side of which comprises the upper surface of said gate, and wherein:

(1) said trough is adapted to receive a plurality of said elements in loosely stacked substantially parallel relationship with respect to one another; and, t

(2) upon receipt of said elements in said trough, the lowermost thereof are supported on the upper surface of said gate and directed thereby towards said wall under the influence of gravity;

(c) means supporting said gate for limited movement relative to said wall between a first position wherein the upper surface of said gate is in proximate contact with the lower boundary defining edge of said wall and a second position wherein said surface is spaced from said edge by a distance suflicient to permit elements received in said trough to pass over said surface and beneath said edge in single file relationship;

(d) a barrier disposed laterally of said wall and immediately adjacent said gate, said barrier being:

(1) positioned so that the upper extremity thereof presents substantially no resistance to the passage of articles over the upper surface of said gate when said gate is in said first position and, upon movement of said gate to said second position said barrier presents an abutment to elements passing over said surface and beneath said edge whereby, upon return of said gate to said first position after the passage of elements thereover in said second position, any element disposed on said gate laterally of said wall is discharged over said barrier; and,

(2) spaced from said wall by a distance permitting the passage of but one element laterall of said wall upon movement of said gate to said second position;

(e) means to selectively move said gate between said first and second positions;

(f) a detent plate secured to and extending from said gate for movement therewith, said plate having a detent opening therein;

(g) a locking plate secured against movement relative to said wall and disposed in adjacent opposed relationship to said detent plate, said locking plate having a locking opening therein located in substantial alignment with the detent opening of said detent plate when said gate is in said first position;

(h) a dog mounted for movement between a condition extending through only said detent opening said condition extending through both said detent and locking openings;

(i) a remotely controllable actuator adapted to selectively move said dog from a condition extending through both of said openings to a condition retracted from said locking opening and extending only through said detent opening; and wherein:

(1) upon movement of said dog to the condition extending though only said detent opening said dog is free to permit movement of said gate between said first and second positions; and,

(2.) upon movement of said dog to the condition extending through both of said openings said dog locks said gate against movement between said first and second positions.

2. An apparatus according to claim 1, further comprising:

(a) first means to resiliently urge said gate to said first position;

(b) second means to resiliently urge said dog through said detent and locking openings upon movement of said gate from said second to said first position responsive to said first means;

(c) mutually engageable means on said dog and detent opening adapted to:

(1) lock said dog within said detent opening and retracted against extension through said locking opening upon retraction of said dog from said locking opening when said gate is in said first position; and,

(2) permit extension of said dog through said detent and locking openings responsive to said second means upon movement of said gate from said second position to said first position.

3. An apparatus for dispensing elongate rod-like elements in one-at-a-time fashion, said apparatus comprising:

(a) an upright wall having a lower boundary defining edge;

(b) a gate disposed beneath said wall in acutely inclined relationship to define therewith a trough, the lower side of which comprises the upper surface of said gate, and wherein:

(1) said trough is adapted to receive a plurality of said elements in loosely stacked substantially parallel relationship with respect to one another; and,

(2) upon receipt of said elements in said trough, the lowermost thereof are supported on the upper surface of said gate and directed thereby towards said wall under the influence of gravity;

(c) means supporting said gate for limited movement relative to said wall between a first position wherein the upper surface of said gate is in proximate contact with the lower boundary defining edge of said Wall and a second position wherein said surface is spaced from said edge by a distance suificient to permit elements received in said trough to pass over said surface and beneath said edge in single file relationship;

(d) a barrier disposed laterally of said wall and immediately adjacent said gate, said barrier being:

(1) positioned so that the upper extremity thereof presents substantially no resistance to the passage of articles over the upper surface of said gate when said gate is in said first position and, upon movement of said gate to said second position said barrier presents an abutment to elements passing over said surface and beneath said edge whereby, upon return of said gate to said first position after the passage of elements thereover in said second position, any element disposed on said gate laterally of said wall is discharged over said barrier; and,

(2) spaced from said wall by a distance permitting the passage of but one element laterally of said wall upon movement of said gate to said second position;

(e) means to selectively move said gate between said first and second positions comprising a solenoid operable actuator adapted, upon being energized, to move said gate from said first to said second positions;

(f) means resiliently urging said gate to said first position;

(g) retention means, comprising:

(1) first detent means secured against movement with said gate; and,

(2) second detent means carried by said gate for movement therewith, said first and second detent means being mutually engageable to automatically retain said gate in said second position upon movement of said gate from said first to said second position;

(h) selectively operable release means adapted to disengage said first and second detent means to release said gate for movement from said second position to said first position responsive to said means resiliently urging said gate to said first position.

4. In an apparatus adapted to contain a plurality of drinking straws in a generally horizontal disposition and efiect the selective dispensing thereof, and comprising:

(A) at least one side wall disposed to support said straws laterally in parallel relationship thereto, said wall having a generally longitudinally extending slot along the bottom thereof of a length slightly greater than said straws;

(B) a gate disposed to form a floor for supporting said straws from beneath adjacent said slot;

(C) means supporting said gate for movement relative to said wall between an upper position closing said slot to the passage of straws therethrough and a lower position permitting the passage of straws through said slot;

(D) resilient means acting to bias said gate to the upper position;

(E) means to selectively depress said gate to the lower position; and said,

(F) means cooperable with the gate to permit but a single straw to pass to a position opposite the open slot each time the gate is depressed to the lower position and, upon return of the gate to the upper position, elfect the expulsion of said straw from the apparatus by the return movement of the gate;

the improvement comprising:

(1) a detent plate secured to and extending from said gate for movement therewith, said plate having a detent opening therein;

(2) a locking plate secured against movement relative to said wall and disposed in adjacent opposed relationship to said detent plate, said locking plate having a locking opening therein located in substantial alignment with the detent opening of said detent plate when said gate is in said upper position;

(3) a dog mounted for movement between a condition extending through only said detent opening and a condition extending through both said detent and locking openings;

(4) a remotely controllable actuator adapted to selectively move said dog from a condition extending through both of said openings to a condition retracted from said locking opening and extending only through said detent opening; and wherein:

(a) upon movement of said dog to the condition extending through only said detent opening said dog is free to permit movement of said gate between said upper and lower positions; and,

(b) upon movement of said dog to the condition extending through both of said openings said dog locks said gate against movement between said upper and lower positions.

5. In an apparatus adapted to contain a plurality of drinking straws in a generally horizontal disposition and effect the selective dispensing thereof, and comprising:

(A) at least one side wall disposed to support Said straws laterally in parallel relationship thereto, said wall having a generally longitudinally extending slot along the bottom thereof of a length slightly greater than said straws;

(B) a gate disposed to form a floor for supporting said straws from beneath adjacent said slot;

(C) means supporting said gate for movement relative to said wall between an upper position closing said slot to the passage of straws therethrough and a lower position permitting the passage of straws through said slot;

(D) resilient means acting to bias said gate to the upper position;

(E) means to selectively depress said gate to the lower position; and,

(F) means cooperable with the gate to permit but a single straw to pass to a position opposite the open slot each time the gate is depressed to the lower position and, upon return of the gate to the upper position, elfect the expulsion of said straw from the apparatus by the return movement of the gate;

the improvement comprising:

(1) an electromotive operated actuator adapted, upon being energized, to move said gate from said first to said second position;

(2) retention means, comprising:

(a) first detent means secured against movement with said gate; and,

(b) second detent means carried by said gate for movement therewith, said first and second detent means being mutually engageable to automatically retain said gate in said lower position upon movement of said gate from said upper to said lower position;

(3) selectively operable release means adapted to disengage said first and second detent means to release said gate for movement from said lower position to said upper position responsive to said means resiliently urging said gate to said upper position.

References Cited UNITED STATES PATENTS 641,759 1/1900 Buie et al 221-192 X 1,474,264 11/1923 Karp 221-152 X 1,806,399 5/1931 Jippson 221192 X 2,323,681 7/1943 Sangster et al. 221152 X 3,090,521 5/1963 Fazekas 221111 X FOREIGN PATENTS 221,961 6/1959 Australia.

SAMUEL F/COLEMAN, Primary Examiner.

UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE CERTIFICATE OF CORRECTION Patent No. 3,445,036 May 20, 1969 John C. Sturrock It is certified that error appears in the above identified patent and that said Letters Patent are hereby corrected as shown below:

Column 9, line 51, "said", second occurence, should read and a Signed and sealed this 14th day of April 1970.

(SEAL) Attest:

WILLIAM E. SCHUYLER, JR.

Edward M. Fletcher, J r.

Commissioner of Patents Attesting Officer 

